Yoo Jae-suk

Yoo Jae-suk (Hangul: 유재석; Hanja: 劉在錫; Korean pronunciation: [jud͡ʑεsʌk̚] or [ju][t͡ɕεsʌk̚]; born on August 14, 1972), is a South Korean comedian, host and television personality currently signed to FNC Entertainment. He has hosted several variety television shows in South Korea, including Infinite Challenge and Running Man. Known for his quick wit and appeal across a wide range of demographics, Yoo has established himself as one of Korea's top comedians and TV personalities.[1][2]

Career

Beginnings

Yoo's television debut was on the KBS Comedian Festival (for college students) in 1991, where he performed a parody of a commercial with Choi Seung-gyung. His dancing to a cover of the song "Step by Step" by New Kids on the Block was another early memorable moment.[1] In 2002, after nine years as a relatively unknown comedian, thanks to a recommendation by Choi Jin-sil, he hosted the program Live and Enjoy Together.[3] He then rose to prominence when he co-hosted a program called The Crash of MCs with Kang Ho-dong, Lee Hwi-jae and Kim Han-seok.

Mainstream recognition as "Nation's MC"

X-Man

He later hosted the show X-Man, which soon grew to be one of the most popular and viewed shows in Korea. During that time, Yoo became increasingly popular and many programs began to nickname him "the nation's MC". He went on to host various shows, including New X-Man, Old TV, and Haja! Go! (Let's Do It) for SBS, but these were all soon canceled due to low ratings on Sunday evenings. However, X-Man has found success in international syndication, and Yoo gained popularity among Korean Wave fans.[5]

Infinite Challenge

Yoo was a part of the cast of the top-rated comedy variety program Infinite Challenge. He had been the host-in-chief since 2005 and one of the program's founding members.

Despite low ratings during its initial premiere, the show went on to become one of the most popular and influential variety programs in Korea. Dubbed the "national variety show" in Korea,[6]Infinite Challenge became the forerunner of many programs that followed with the same or similar format.[7] Since December 2, 2006, the program has received the highest ratings of prime-time lineups for Saturday evening.[8]

Yoo revealed his love for the program during 1-on-1 talk with fellow co-host, Jeong Hyeong-don, on "Pause" special (S04E300) that aired on October 20, 2012. He said, "I think my life on television and variety shows will be tied to the fate of Infinite Challenge... When will we ever get to do another program like this? No matter how hard you try, it's going to be impossible to do another film like this."[9]

Yoo was scheduled to host Netflix's upcoming variety show, Busted!, which started airing on May 4, 2018.[16][17]

Guest appearances and collaborations

In 2012, Yoo appeared in the music video for Psy's hit single "Gangnam Style". In the video, he reprises the retro disco dancing character he created for the mock-band "Sagging Snail" in Infinite Challenge's West Coast Highway Music Festival special, in which Psy also appeared. Following his appearance, Yoo became known worldwide as the "yellow suit guy".[18] He also appeared in Psy's follow-up single, "Gentleman".[19]
In 2015, Yoo collaborated with JYP in 'Infinite Challenge.
On July 15, 2015, Yoo signed an exclusive contract with FNC Entertainment after having been without an agency for about five years.[20]

In the media

Yoo has been dubbed "the nation's MC" to his broad appeal and popularity with a wide demographic of viewers.[1]
He has consistently ranked as the top comedian in Korea,[23] topping the Gallup poll in 2009, and for six consecutive years since 2012.[24][25][26][27] He is one of the highest paid television personalities in Korea,[28][29] and one of the most in-demand endorsers.[30]

Known for his exemplary image, Yoo has consistently been picked as a role model by fellow entertainers as well as the citizens of Korea.[31] He makes donations regularly to several causes, and has participated in philanthropic acts.[32][33][34]

Personal life

On July 6, 2008, Yoo married MBC announcer, Na Kyung-eun, who worked with him on the show Infinite Challenge.[36][37] Yoo and his wife welcomed their first child, a son, Yoo Ji-ho, on May 1, 2010.[38][39] Their second child, a daughter, was born on October 19, 2018.[40]

External links

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